http://hdl.handle.net/10386/60 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:42:32 GMT 2026-04-05T21:42:32Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4895 Preterm infant feeding knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst health practitioners at tertiary hospitals in Capricon District, Limpopo Province, South Africa Ralebapa, Khomotso Introduction: Preterm infant feeding is the cornerstone for growth and development, and yet not prioritized by health practitioners. Aim: This study aims to determine preterm infant feeding, knowledge, attitudes, and practices amongst health practitioners at tertiary hospitals in Limpopo province, South Africa. Methodology: The study was conducted among 40 health practitioners working at the neonatal unit at Mankweng Tertiary Hospital. The sample size was calculated using the Morgan and Krejci formula, however due to the small sample size, the total population sample methodology was employed. The sample included 16 Medical practitioners and 24 registered nurses. The study complied to all ethical considerations. Data on the knowledge, attitudes and practice amongst health practitioners was collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis: Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29 was used to analyse the data. Continuous variables were presented using minimum, maximum, mean and standard deviation. Categorical variables were presented with frequencies and percentages. Knowledge and practice questions were allocated one point for every correct answer and zero for a wrong answer. The overall knowledge and practice were interpreted using Bloom cut-off, and presented as maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviation. The attitudes questions were analysed using the attitudes score, and the overall attitudes score was calculated and presented as maximum, minimum, mean and standard deviation. The relationship between the socio-demography of health practitioners and the knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) was analysed using Pearson chi-square. The strength of the relationship was determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results of the study: The majority (77%) of health practitioners had moderate knowledge, mean knowledge score of 48%, 88% of health practitioners had a positive attitude, with the mean attitudes score of 89.9%, and 58% of health practitioners obtained a moderate practice, mean score of 64.7%, on preterm infant feeding. There was a significant relationship between registered nurses and knowledge of preterm infant feeding (p=0.003), and years of experience of registered nurses and knowledge (p=0.046). Additionally, there was a significant relationship (p=0.031) between registered nurses’ years of working with preterm infant and their knowledge on preterm infant feeding. There was no statistically significant association between socio-demographic characteristics and the overall KAP variables. Conclusion: Health practitioners at tertiary hospitals in Limpopo obtained a moderate score on knowledge, positive attitudes, and a moderate score on practice on preterm infant feeding, and there was no association between sociodemographic and KAP variables. Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2024 Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4895 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4299 Nutrition knowledge, food insecurity and coping strategies amongst Health Care Science students at the University of Limpopo Mashabela, Mohube Elizabeth Introduction: Nutritional knowledge is essential for selecting healthy and nutritious meals. However, access to consistent, adequate and nutritious food was unattainable for university students, despite the fact that food was considered a human basic right. Food insecurity is a real issue in South African universities, but it is poorly documented. Numerous studies have used one approach to measure food insecurity rates in various universities, either quantitative or qualitative. There is a scarcity of data on food insecurity among students in institutions of higher learning in Limpopo Province. Food insecure students used a variety of coping mechanisms such as, borrowing money, buying cheap food, skipping meals, sharing food, and reducing portion size in order to cope with food insecurity. The goal of the study was to investigate the level of nutrition knowledge, food insecurity, and coping strategies among students at the School of Health Care Sciences. at the University of Limpopo, South Africa. Methodology: The explanatory sequential mixed-method approach was used in this study. The quantitative survey employed convenience sampling, with 237 undergraduate participants from the Health Care Sciences. Nutritional knowledge was assessed using a multiple-choice questionnaire adapted from the Perlstein study. Food security status was assessed using the eight (8) questions from Food Insecurity Experience Scale. Fourteen purposefully selected in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted to explore life experiences and coping strategies of food-insecure students. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA version 11.0, Fischer’s exact test to test the association between food insecurity and nutritional knowledge with regards to age, gender and study level and thematic analysis for the qualitative data. Findings: Students were on average 21 years old, in level II and level III years of study. Fifteen percent (n=36) had poor nutritional knowledge, 69% (n=164) had moderate nutrition knowledge, and 14.7% (n=35) had good nutritional knowledge. Both males and females in the current study had a fair amount of dietary knowledge. Twenty-four percent (n=57) experienced moderate food insecurity and 16% (n=37) had severe food insecurity. The rate of food insecurity in the study exceeded the national rate. Lack of budgeting skills, delayed distribution of bursary money, unforeseen costs, and household obligations were among the factors that aided in food insecurity. Food-insecure students applied numerous coping mechanisms, such as borrowing money from friends, sharing food, buying cheap food, and cutting portion sizes. The study found a significant association between a study level and nutrition knowledge with a P-value of 0.02 for both study levels less than and more than two years. Six themes emerged from interviews with food-insecure students i.e., coping strategies, nutrition knowledge, hunger and academic effect, competing expenses, health triangle and contributing factors to lack of money to buy food. Conclusion: This study provided insight into the food insecurity levels and the nutritional knowledge of the students in the Health Care Sciences at the University of Limpopo. It further offered an understanding of how students experienced food insecurity and the various coping mechanisms employed to deal with the situation. The rate of food insecurity in the study exceeded the national rate. Nutrition education programmes and interventions that address food insecurity are important and the strengthening of existing support systems to ensure that students cope and succeed in their studies. Future research is needed to cover a large scale of students. Thesis (M.Sc. (Dietetics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4299 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/3798 Perspective of vendors, grade six and seven learners and school governing bodies on the sale of snacks in selected primary schools of Dimamo Circuit, Limpopo Province, South Africa Mothapo, Choney Mahwana Background: Most school food environments in low socioeconomic countries offer cheaper unhealthy snacks of low nutritional value. Generally, these defeat the aims and goals of the National School Nutrition Programmes that offers nutritionally balanced meals to enhance concentration and learning. These unhealthy snacks that are available in school food environments have the ability to promote food choices that may lead to early onset of obesity and diseases of the lifestyle. The creation of healthy school food environments should be observed as a fundamental priority and a responsibility to all stakeholders with the necessary powers. Objectives: The study explored the perspective of school vendors, learners and school governing bodies on snack sale in selected primary schools of Dimamo circuit, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory descriptive study was conducted on the perspectives of vendors, learners and school governing bodies on the sale of snacks in selected primary schools of Dimamo circuit, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were collected with 69 participants using a semi-structured questionnaire in one-on-one interviews and focus group discussions at three public schools in the Dimamo circuit. Criteria for trustworthiness were adhered to throughout the study. Ethical principles were adhered to in order to ensure the ethical standards of the study. Findings: A negative perception regarding the sale of snacks was found by both the learners and school governing bodies. However, the vendors were reluctant to raise their views with regard to the snacks sold in schools despite them being aware of the diseases experienced, such as ringworms, rash and vomiting. Improved hygiene practices and sale of healthy snacks was suggested by learners while drawing of a school food policy was seen as a last resort to improve the school food environment. Conclusion: A negative perception towards unhealthy snacks exists among the learners and teachers as they have been disruption in teaching and learning; due to random absenteeism associated with ailments allegedly caused by consumption of unhealthy snacks. However, the vendors reported learners’ preference for the sale of unhealthy snacks viii over the healthy ones due to cost. Furthermore,the vendors reported that the provision of free fruits by the NSNP in school was a challenge. Lack of cooperation, accountability and responsibility amongst the School Governing Bodies (SGB) and vendors were a barrier to facilitating a healthy food environment. Thesis (M. Sc. (Dietetics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/3798 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1144 Nutritional factors involved in development of neural tube defects in offspring of women residing in a high risk area Modjadji, Sewela Elizabeth Perpetua AIM: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status of non-pregnant women of childbearing age residing in a rural area of Limpopo Province, South Africa, and the effect of fortification of staple foods on their folate and iron status. The following objectives were carried out:  To assess the socio-demographic status and maternity history of non-pregnant rural women of childbearing age.  To determine the following anthropometric measurements; body weight, height, body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and waist hip ratio of women of childbearing age.  To assess dietary intake of non-pregnant rural women of childbearing age using 24-hour recall and quantitative food frequency questionnaires prior to fortification of foods.  To determine folate status of non-pregnant rural women of childbearing age by levels of serum and red blood cell folate, and assessing vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels before and after fortification of foods.  To determine iron status of non-pregnant rural women of childbearing age by full blood count, serum ferritin, iron, total iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and C–reactive protein before and after fortification of foods.  To determine albumin and liver enzymes (ALP, ALT, AST and GGT) of women of childbearing age before and after fortification.  To assess mycotoxins (i.e. fumonisins) in morogo samples collected randomly among participants from the study area. Thesis (Ph.D (Nutrition)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1144 2009-01-01T00:00:00Z